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Local chamber lobbies against Ambassador Bridge

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is joining other business groups from both sides of the border to counter a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign backed by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge.

With just three weeks to go until Election Day in the United States, the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is lobbying in support of a new international bridge.

It's joining other business groups from both sides of the border to counter a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign backed by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge.

Matty Moroun is urging voters in Michigan to endorse a proposal that would require voter approval for any new border crossing.

Matt Marchand is president of the local chamber.

"At stake is thousands of jobs, our position in the national and regional economy," said Marchand. "Our infrastructure is dated and it needs to be replaced."

Under the agreement, Michigan wouldn't be obligated to pay any of the anticipated $1-billion cost of the bridge.

The Windsor-Detroit border is the busiest in North America.

In 2010, it was reported that 28,814 trucks crossed the privately owned Ambassador Bridge on a daily basis.

According to the Ambassador Bridge, more than 25 per cent of all merchandise trade between the U.S. and Canada crosses that span. Almost $500 million US in trade and an average of 10,000 commercial vehicles pass daily over the Ambassador Bridge.